• Seton Hall University
• Center for Interprofessional Education in the Health Sciences

In healthcare educational programs, simulation experiences has been used to promote an understanding of complex ideas through active learning. Creating simulated scenarios incorporating interprofessional student collaboration provides the unique opportunity to merge theory with practice while maximizing diversity through realistic team-based oriented scenarios (Clapper TC. 2010). The nature of such diverse, interprofessional simulation experiences has been found to enhance student communication skills and promote the development of respect for different value systems (Rider EA, et al. 2014). While the benefits of simulation, including the development of leadership and teamwork, improved decision making and critical thinking, clinical skills, and clinical performance benefits, enhanced patient deterioration management, and situation awareness improvement have been noted in the literature, barriers including "lack of time," "fear of technology" "financial cost" and "workload issues" are also present (Al-Ghareeb AZ & Cooper SJ, 2016).

The CIEHS has sought to address some of these barriers by using virtual reality (VR) simulations as part of our Journey of Professional Transformation active learning experience. In three recent proof-of-concept virtual world simulated patient scenario projects our Center’s scholarship team has developed and explored the impact of using: 1) Telehealth Avatar Based Learning Experience to Promote Psychosocial Wellbeing of a College Athlete who Identifies as a Transgender Female who Experienced a Concussion, 2) Interprofessional Avatar Based Simulations: A Low Stakes Tool to Promote Professional Readiness to Support and Manage Patient’s Unexpected Life Altering Medical Diagnosis via Telehealth, and 3) Readiness of Interprofessional Health Science Students in Emergency Preparedness Using Virtual Reality Simulation.

Through these three proof-of-concept projects we identified key factors that must be present in interprofessional simulation avatar learning experience in order to promote student engagement and comfort. Based upon insights gained, we have infused these three Virtual World Learning Experiences into SHU- IPE Journey of Professional Transformation in order to further promote student’s overall workforce readiness.